HoopsHype.com Rumors

Linas Kleiza was named in the 15-strong Lithuanian national team preliminary squad for EuroBasket 2013 that head coach Jonas Kazlauskas announced in Vilnius on Tuesday. He was doubtful because of health issues. Eurobasket 2013

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza, FIBA, Lithuania, Eurobasket 

Center Jonas Valanciunas, who has just completed a very promising rookie NBA season with the Toronto Raptors will join national team preparations at a later stage as he will take part with his team in the Las Vegas summer league. Another center who had his first season in the NBA this year, Donatas Motiejunas, is also on the team after reaching the western conference play-offs with the Houston Rockets. Eurobasket 2013

Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, FIBA, Summer League, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Eurobasket 

Matias Traversa: Argentinian coach Julio Lamas said in press conference that Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni and Leo Gutierrez won't play in Fiba Americas Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Manu Ginobili, FIBA, Andres Nocioni, Argentina 

With a post on instagram, Kevin Seraphin announced that he will not play Eurobasket 2013 with the French National Team. Sportando

Washington Wizards, Kevin Seraphin, FIBA, France, Eurobasket 

Wizards forward-center Kevin Seraphin heads into this offseason having to decide between advancing his NBA career or maintaining his commitment to his country. Seraphin has played a prominent role for the French national team in each of the past two summers and helped France finish sixth at the London Olympics. But Seraphin’s third season with the Wizards fell short of his expectations despite averaging a career-high nine points per game, leaving his participation at 2013 Eurobasket in Slovenia in doubt. “I don’t know. That’s something that I really want to,” Seraphin said of representing France, “but the thing is now, I try to improve. The [Wizards] want me to improve, too. I try to be better for my team, for sure.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Kevin Seraphin, FIBA, France, Eurobasket 

Kevin Seraphin's participation in the Eurobasket is in doubt. Catch and Shoot

Washington Wizards, Kevin Seraphin, FIBA, France, Eurobasket 

Pau Gasol has told to some people he will rest this summer and won't play the European Championship with the Spanish national team. Encestando

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, FIBA, Spain, Eurobasket 

After committing himself to preparing for the NBA the past few summers, Vesely has decided to once again play for the Czech Republic at EuroBasket in Slovenia in September. “It’s hard to explain, if somebody wasn’t there, you wouldn’t understand. If you’re in it, it’s about you and how you figure it out,” Vesely said. “Every time you say you can do more, to say I did everything for this. The NBA is a big thing. It’s all about confidence. If you have the confidence and you keep working hard, it’ll pay off. This is the best league in the world, so it’s a dream to be here.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, FIBA, Jan Vesely, Eurobasket 

There has been talk that commissioner David Stern would consider the idea of a World Basketball Classic, similar to baseball’s tournament. The challenge for Stern and FIBA would be getting American superstars to play. Also, the shoe companies may have to be acknowledged in such a deal. The league’s focus continues to shift overseas, with the announcement of eight more preseason games to be played in cities such as Istanbul, Beijing, and London. The Thunder will play Fenerbahce Ulker, the same club that beat the Celtics last October in Istanbul. Boston Globe

FIBA, David Stern 

Former Magic C Marcin Gortat, now with Phoenix, also might not play for Poland. He recently told TalkBasket.net: "I can tell you one thing: I'm going to definitely consider not going to the national team again and not playing another 20 games in the offseason." Orlando Sentinel

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat, FIBA, Poland, Eurobasket 

David 'Dubi' Pick: Asian reports linked Maccabi TLV coach David Blatt to Chinese national-team. Sources tell me Blatt was offered the position but declined. Twitter @IAmDPick

Coaching, FIBA, China, David Blatt 

Nearly 50 European players were on NBA opening-day rosters and several will play in the September event. Tony Parker recently told USA TODAY Sports that he wants to win an NBA title in June then follow that up with a Eurobasket title for France, which finished second to Spain in 2011. USA Today Sports

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, FIBA, Eurobasket 

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will not return to coach USA Basketball after the Blue Devils' season, he said Tuesday. Talking in a phone interview with ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning", Krzyzewski said USA Basketball will likely name his successor this summer in preparation for the 2014 world championships in Madrid. "I've loved, loved, loved, and it's been an honor being with the USA Basketball team," Krzyzewski said. "And to coach the team and work with [chairman and president Jerry Colangelo] for seven years has been marvelous. "And we're in a good spot," Krzyzewski added. "We need to keep building." ESPN.com

FIBA, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

A person close to USA Basketball told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday morning that it is highly unlikely Colangelo can convince Krzyzewski to return. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the coaching situation. USA Today Sports

FIBA, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

In an interview with Bifenpai, Stephon Marbury admits that he wants to coach the Chinese National Team one day: "If they gave me the oppotunity, I would accept it. They have to continue to work hard, I think especially on their strength and conditioning. But the strength part is more important because the skills are there, I think they have to add more things. You don't have to take away things, because I think they're on the right path in China." Bifenpai

Coaching, FIBA, Stephon Marbury, China 

British Basketball have drawn up a short-list of candidates for their head coaching vacancies with interviews set to take place next month. Existing senior men’s assistant coach Paul Mokeski and Maccabi Tel Aviv assistant Guy Goodes are among those who have applied for the role of successor to Chris Finch with a number of NBA personnel also understood to have put their names forward. MVP 24/7

Coaching, FIBA, Paul Moleski 

Mark Woods: Ricky Rubio confirmed he'll play for Spain in this summer's EuroBasket Twitter @markbritball

Minnesota Timberwolves, FIBA, Ricky Rubio 

Jeff Zillgitt: Also today, FIBA submitted proposal to IOC to increase Olympic basketball field to 16 teams from 12 for Rio 2016. Twitter @JeffZillgitt

FIBA 

Ajani Williams, president of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA), said his administration will begin talks with a number National Basketball Association (NBA) players who have expressed interest in representing Jamaica at this year's FIBA World Championship final-round qualifiers at the end of the month. Williams said his organisation will be holding talks with point guard Ben Gordon of Charlotte Bobcats, Indiana Pacers centre Roy Hibbert and André Drummond of Detroit Pistons. "We are going to make our best effort to get these players and then we will see how well things pan out," said Williams. Jamaica Gleaner

Charlotte Bobcats, Indiana Pacers, FIBA, Roy Hibbert, Ben Gordon, World Championship, Jamaica 

Dallas center Chris Kaman hasn't ruled out playing for Germany if it qualifies for 2014 World Cup in Spain. “I’m up for (playing for Germany again). I just don’t know what Dirk’s decision will be,’’ said Kaman, who played for Germany in the 2008 Olympics and before only has wanted to play for the country if Dirk Nowitzki, now his Dallas teammate, is playing. “I can’t say no now. But I can’t say yes.’’ Sulia

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, FIBA, Chris Kaman, Germany